Around 100 firefighters were called to tackle a fire at Somerset House in central London, a historic venue for the arts. The London Fire Brigade deployed 15 fire engines to the scene after receiving a call just before noon local time, with the cause of the fire still unknown. Videos showed flames on the roof of the building, with smoke rising over the River Thames. The venue was closed to the public due to the fire, but all staff and visitors were reported safe. The LFB said that flames were located in part of the building’s roof, and two 105-foot ladders were sent to the scene to help extinguish the fire.
Somerset House, a former royal residence in the 17th century, has since been transformed into an arts venue and is home to the Courtauld Institute of Art. The Courtauld Gallery, located within Somerset House, features a renowned collection of art including works by Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet, and Paul Cezanne. The venue had been scheduled to host a day of breakdancing on Saturday, but all events were canceled due to the fire. The historic building’s significance in London’s cultural landscape and its importance as a hub for the arts make the incident a significant loss for the city’s artistic community.
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